Great Lakes Region Repurposes 24.3 Million Pounds of Fish Waste for New Markets

Published: Aug 31, 2026 - 4:24 p.m.

By Peter Lewis

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CLEVELAND, OHIO — A new report suggests that leftovers from the Great Lakes fishing industry are no longer just waste headed for a landfill. The Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers released its first annual performance report for the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative on Monday, revealing that 48 companies across the region are now repurposing nearly 24.3 million pounds of fish byproducts. Historically, only the fillets were eaten. That is roughly 40% of the fish, while the rest, including scales, skin and organs, often ended up in the trash. According to the GSGP report, these scraps are being transformed into high-value goods such as pet treats, fertilizer and even leather. This shift has generated roughly $3.4 million in economic value. It also has helped the environment: The report notes that the initiative has avoided approximately 9.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The initiative has seen its greatest success in the commercial sector. Organizations representing 90% of the region's commercial fishery volume have signed the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge. These participants commit to finding productive uses for every part of the fish they handle. While the commercial and aquaculture sectors are leading the way, the recreational sector is just getting started. Only about 1% of the recreational fish harvest is currently captured by the program. This represents a major opportunity for cities such as Cleveland. Lake Erie is often called the Walleye Capital of the World, and the recreational fishing industry is a major driver along the Ohio shoreline. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the state's Lake Erie fishery is worth more than $1 billion to the local economy. David Naftzger, executive director of GSGP, said the organization is working with fisheries agencies to improve collection systems at cleaning stations. These stations, which are common at marinas along the Lake Erie coast, could soon serve as the primary source for the next wave of fish-based products. The goal of the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative is to eliminate waste and increase the value of fish caught, raised or processed in the region. This involves coordination among fish processors, researchers and government agencies. Current projects are exploring how to turn fish viscera into oil and meal, which are valuable components in the global aquaculture feed market. While the commercial sector handles the bulk of the volume, the report indicates that aquaculture producers also are using byproducts at a high rate. Roughly 55% of the region's aquaculture production is now involved in the pledge. Those interested in viewing the full 2026 performance results or the participating companies can find the data on the GSGP website. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.